In Exodus 28-30 we read God’s extensive instructions to Moses regarding clothing for the priests, the dedication and ordination of priests, plans for the incense altar, and wash basin, and instructions for making the anointing oil and incense used by the priests. In addition, God instructs the people on the gifts to bring for the construction of the Tabernacle. If you are a “big picture” person, as I am, the minute details included in these chapters seem a bit excessive, and yet God’s instructions make it clear exactly what is expected in each of these areas. The point that struck home the most with me was the minute detail in the description of the priest’s ephod, and chest piece. Given the purpose of the chest piece, which was to hold the “Urim and Thummim,”the instruments used to receive God’s answers to specific questions, we can see why the minutely detailed instructions were necessary. It also struck me that no one was permitted to make anointing oil or incense with the same formula as that used by the priests. These two materials were to be used for God’s holy purposes only.
While we won’t get to the Apostle Peter’s letters for a long time based on our daily readings, I couldn’t help thinking of his words in 1 Peter 2: 9-10 as we read Exodus 28-30: 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NIV) While only those descended from Levi could be priests in Moses’ time through the time of Jesus, because of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, each of us is now a priest, and all of us together are “a royal priesthood.” We don’t wear the elaborate outfits the priests in Moses’ day wore, but we are certainly able to enter the presence of God, through Jesus’ work on our behalf.
As we read through Mark 7 once again, I’m reminded of how the Pharisees were caught up in the details of external tradition, while Jesus focused on the heart. When the Pharisees complained because the disciples ate with “unwashed hands,” Jesus responded by quoting Isaiah: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” As Jesus continued to instruct us regarding the internal and the external, He made it clear it isn’t what goes into us that defiles, but what comes out. With those statements He pronounced all foods clean. Let’s look for a moment at Mark 7:20-23 to see Jesus’ point about true cleanness and uncleanness. 20He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’21For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.'” Mark 7:20-23 (NIV) As we go about our day, we do well to start by “cleaning” the inside of our lives through prayer, Bible reading and calling on God to fill us with the Holy Spirit to empower us for the day. After all, if the inside is clean, the rest will take care of itself.
Mark 7 concludes with the faith of a Syrophonecian woman, which I commented on in Day 7’s reading, and the healing of man who was deaf and dumb. While the miracle is amazing, several years ago, I read a book titled The Heart Reader, which is based on that passage. It was written anonymously by a Christian author who would have been well-known, if he or she had chosen to tell us who he or she was. The purpose of the book was to remind us that Jesus has the power to “open” not only ears and mouths, but hearts to salvation in His name. I commend the book to you. It is a great devotional read, and helps to refocus us on the importance of sharing the good news of Jesus with others.